BDA Mulls Two Blu-ray Specs

28 Apr, 2010 By: Chris Tribbey

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The Blu-ray Disc Association is considering two new specifications for the format, one that would expand Blu-ray Disc storage capacity up to 128GB and another that would add a read/write layer to discs.

BDXL would allow for four layers to a write-once disc, for up to 128GB of data. Currently Blu-rays come in BD-25 and BD-50 versions. A rewritable version of BDXL would allow for three layers and a maximum of 100GB of data.

“BDXL is thought of as a good candidate for commercial data storage and archiving applications, as a viable way to isolate crucial data from the inherent risks associated with magnetic media, such as accidental erasure or device failure,” said Andy Parsons, chair of the Blu-ray Disc Association Promotion Committee in the United States. “It's also envisioned as a good way to expand recording capacity for future consumer set-top BD
recorders, a product category that is popular in some parts of the world, such as Japan.”

The other specifications, IH-BD, could be used in applications where user information needs to be bound to a specific disc, “such as gaming or learning applications where scores can be tallied,” Parsons said. “Of course, this would require the supporting hardware to have recording capability.”

Current Blu-ray players would not be able to handle either specification, though consumer electronics companies can keep them in mind when producing new players in the future, Parsons said.

The BDA may approve the specification this summer.

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